MY TUSSLE 
WITH THE DEVIL 

AND OTHER STORIES 



By 

O. HENRY'S GHOST 




I. M. Y. COMPANY 

NEW YORK 

1918 



^1^1 



Copyright, 1918, 
by I. M. Y. Company 






Sli^e Harrage iFire 




FEEL I cannot give O. 
Henry's Ghost better am- 
munition with which to 
meet his critics than a bit 
of truth voiced by Joan in one of 
Algernon Blackwood's wonderful 

books. 

"The beloved dead step nearer 
when their bodies drop aside. They 
know where they are and what they 
are doing. It's not for us to worry 
— in that way. And they are out of 
hours and minutes." 

To meet the onslaught of you, Mr. 
Scoffer and Mr. Skeptic, who will say, 
"Impossible! They are not a bit like 
O. Henry's stories ! They lack all his 
virility, etc., etc." I say at once, 
of course they are different! Where 
before his stories were written in 
the bold black and red of human 
passions, which belong to materiality, 



4 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

now, they must of necessity be pastel 
in hue and delicate gossamer things, 
for O. Henry's Ghost is using finer 
material to mold his creations. The 
land where he dwells is subject to 
a different rate of vibration, and as 
the rhythm must be totally unlike, it 
is natural that the thoughts should 
flow and take form in the vehicle of 
poets. 

But one characteristic is dominant 
still — the completeness of each Pas- 
tel. Not a word more is needed to 
complete a picture or convey an emo- 
tion, and while the aspiration of O. 
Henry's Ghost has changed and he 
deals with higher, finer forces and de- 
sires, he still retains his mastery of 
the short story. 

Attack from all sides, if you will, 
but the only guns you can fire are, "I 
believe'* and "I think,'' which shall 
bring forth in reply the bomb ^'I 
KNOWir 



THE BARRAGE FIRE $ 

Because the spirit known as O. 
Henry came before the curtain on this 
particular stage in the garb of heavy 
woolen materiality, thundering vivid, 
scarlet tales, is no reason why, having 
made his exit, — after playing out his 
role, — ^he should not return in a dif- 
ferent characterization and in chiffon 
garb. 

If he is not recognized in the new 
one upon his entrance it is no evi- 
dence that the same spirit does not 
animate both, and the perfection of 
detail and artistry in both characteri- 
zations is convincing proof of the 
same dominant spirit. 

While the stories necessarily re- 
flect in their style the high aspira- 
tion that prompted them, they prove, 
as O. Henry^s Ghost so vividly re- 
marked, that a leopard can change its 
spots. 

Flashes of the O. Henry who wrote 
*The Man About Town'' are found 



6 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

in the bits of personal conversation 
from O. Henry's Ghost, and the old 
and new are blended in the following 
birthday greeting: "I give you my 
gladsome wish for a comrade and 
gratitude for opening the doors to a 
scrivener. If it was the olden days 
I should have been foolish enough to 
say 'Have a drink to celebrate/ 
Now I shall tell you to take a whiff 
of ambrosia fit for gods and shall 
join you with a gladsome spirit. 
Here's how!" 

The sledge hammer blows wielded 
by the personality of O. Henry can 
only dull to insensibility and bring 
forth a murmur of "I think" and "I 
believe," while the darting shafts of 
O. Henry's Ghost will pierce the 
clouds and bring forth the chorus of 
"I know" to those who, having eyes 
— see — and having ears — ^hear ! 

It is today the same as when Plato 
said : 



THE BARRAGE FIRE 7 

** Strange times are these in which we 

Hve, forsooth: 
When old and young are taught in 

Falsehood's School! 
And the one man who dares to tell 

the Truth 
Is called at once a 'Lunatic' and Tool/ " 

But at any rate, they go forth at 
the request of O. Henry's Ghost and 
with the belief that the beauty of 
thought will be a joyful remembrance 
of one who was known as O. Henry. 

Parma. 



June 27th, 1918. 
158 Ocean Boulevard, 
Atlantic Highlands, 
New Jersey. 



Content£( 



Coiiiin6iit8 13 

Over There 33 

Foreword 37 

My Tussle With the Devil ... 41 

The Contest 57 

Sleeping 67 

Yearning 75 

Animals — 

Weariness — I. The King ... 87 

11. The Toiler . . 88 

The Slave 91 

Flowers — 

Missionaries 101 

Jewels — 

Multitudes 107 

Remembrances 113 

Munitions 119 

Going Home 127 

My Hearth 135 

The Three H's 143 

The Senses 161 

9 



10 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

Fancies — 

Fancies 167 

Trusting 170 

Thoughts 171 

Thinking 172 

Yesterday — Today 177 

Action — Reaction 189 

A Vision 195 



€tmmtnUi 




Commentfii 

THE COMING OF THE STORIES 

IROM the first we used the 
Ouija Board not as a toy, 
but as a serious medium 
through which we received 
guidance in our affairs and teachings 
of the Great Law of Life, for which 
we were searching. We were de- 
termined to have only the truth, and 
so we ehminated the frivolous and 
deceiving, who are ever on the watch 
for the ignorant user of the "Board*' 
— to amuse themselves with his 
credulity, or through sheer devilish- 
ness to lead him to disaster — material 
and spiritual. 

Those with whom we talked were 
Great Invisible Teachers — who were 
on the Earth plane to help humanity 

— ^and a close relative whose develop- 
13 



14 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

ment we followed with intense inter- 
est, and to whose advice in critical 
moments we owe much. 

This was the situation when early 
in September, 1917, we were told that 
if we would sit at the "Board" each 
afternoon about four- thirty o'clock, 
with a positive determination to re- 
ceive only that which was worth 
while, and shut the door at once to 
anyone whose offerings did not reach 
a high standard, we would receive 
things that would surprise us. 

Accordingly, on September 18, 
1917, we waited results — they came 
as follows: 

''My little talent I suppose you will 
consider insufficient/' 

''Who are you?'' we asked. 

''Useless to give name/' came the 
answer. "If you do not know when 
the story is finished, it is N, Gf' 

"I wish to tell the world zvhat is 
theirs for the asking. To try and 



COMMENTS IS 

give them a new viewpoint in place 
of their erroneous ideas/' 

'7 did not know as much then as 
I do now. Before I wrote what the 
Self saw only — nozv it is zvhat I 
know/' 

''We'll take a chance — go ahead,'' 
I said. 

Then followed a story called *The 

Contest/' 

How do we know it was the spirit 
of O. Henry? We will let the rec- 
ord speak for itself. The truth al- 
ways carries conviction, except to 
minds the doors of which are double- 
barred. 

It was evidently the first time this 
Spirit had used a Ouija Board, for 
he was not sure of the location of 
the letters, and after the first para- 
graph said: 

''My force is insufficient ; it tires 
me to spell each word so slowly/' 

We told him to go as fast as he 



16 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

liked. He soon learned how to apply 
his force, and all went smoothly. 

When the story ended, I wrote the 
name ''O. Henry'' on a slip of paper 
and asked if I had guessed correctly. 
The reply was ''Yes/' 

We were so impressed with the 
story that I said, ''It is good enough 
for the Atlantic Monthly." 

The comment was, '7/ they take it, 
my revenge would be complete. That 
is for the ^Elite/ I did not belong/' 

The next day came first what was 
evidently a title, ''My tussle zvith 
the Devil" 

We asked, "Who is speaking to- 
day?" 

''An imaginative fellow/' was the 
reply. 

''Is it the same with whom we 
talked yesterday?" we asked. "Yes; 
it is a joy once more to weave a plot," 

A little later, when the work was 
resumed after an interruption of sev- 



COMMENTS 17 

eral days, O. Henry's Ghost began 
with: 

'7 am glad to see you!' 

"Did you miss us?" 

''That's whatr was the answer. 

The day was rainy and the story 
rather serious, or so it impressed us, 
for we asked: 

"Why don't you give us a cheer- 
ful story?" 

His reply silenced further sugges- 
tions. It was: 

''Kindly allow me to express what 
I feeir 

O. Henry's individuality was 
clearly marked from the first and we 
had no doubt about his genuineness, 
but an incident which occurred one 
afternoon may serve to convince the 
skeptical. 

Several times we had been both- 
ered by the interruptions of a boy 
Spirit called William Mumm, who 
was possessed with an over-developed 



18 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

sense of humor. Often we knew that 
O. Henry was being crowded by 
others who thought that they should 
be given a chance to express them- 
selves, and once or twice the writing 
stopped until things quieted down. 
On this occasion Mumm broke in 
with, "Henry is giving too many or- 
ders." 

On being told in a forceful way 
what we thought of his interference, 
he said, "My word ! That was a hot 
shot! I won't butt in again:" — and 
he didn't. 

Later, when we asked O. Henry 
whether others were present, he said, 
''They are hanging around, hut not 
butting in/' 

As we got better acquainted, there 
was more conversation of a personal 
nature before the story for the day 
was started. 

To the question whether before he 
"crossed over" he had had any real 
Truth, he said: 



COMMENTS 19 

''No, my teaching was hell and 
damnation/' 

We, of course, were curious to 
know how he discovered us. His an- 
swer was in Hne with what we had 
been taught — that each person ap- 
pears as a Hght, shining with in- 
creasing briUiancy as one learns the 
Truth and lives it. He said : 

''Letting your light so shine led me 
here — I desired to tell what I felt and 
knew, and sought an avenue; your 
beacon beckoned me, and your 
teacher bade me enter/' 

Once when we mentioned a finan- 
cial pressure he said: 

"That's the only hell there is on 
earth — that and lack of love which 
sends one to rum shops." 

After another break in our work 
with the stories, we were welcomed 
with: 

"It has been a long time since we 
have talked. I wish you joy." 



20 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

To our usual question "who is with 
us?" came the answer: 

'7 was called Henry/' 

A glimpse into conditions on the 
"other side" was given when we 
asked O. Henry whether he had 
found a friend of whose "passing 
over" we had told him. 

''No/' he replied; "/ have not 
found him. He must be resting, and 
we make it a point never to disturb, 
for the rest periods are of the most 
importance and hasten growth. I 
shall watch for him when he makes 
his mansion/' 

"What do you mean by that?" we 
asked. 

''In the beginning of life here we 
make little progress — unless knowl- 
edge of the Truth has been ours be- 
fore coming over. That is why it is 
so necessary to learn before leaving 
the Earth Sphere. Without that 
one must wander aimlessly or rest 



COMMENTS 21 

and gaze at things of the past — and 
our associates are other unfortunates 
who have had closed ears before leav- 
ing. 

''When one has reviewed a certain 
number of lives — or generally a se- 
quence of events — then comes a ten- 
der friend who points out advantage- 
ous work and study, and which, if 
followed, always means the beginning 
of progress and growth. It is only 
after that has been made use of that 
we begin our mansion or abiding 
place. 

''Keep it always in your mind, the 
foundation stones are Knowledge, 
Wisdom, Power — and then it is built 
by the thought and desire of Aspira- 
tion, Beauty and Love. 

"I want to impress upon you and 
all mankind the necessity of 'Know- 
ing/ and, what is more to the point, 
'Believing.' 

"If you will lend me your pencil. 



22 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

most generous person, I may be able 
to say all I want. Now it seems 
as if I never would be able to get rid 
of it all. 

'^If you would publish a magazine 
it would be a 'hummer/ The trouble 
is, there is no periodical which has 
any one back of it who KNOWS. 
They all prattle and the almighty dol- 
lar is the main thing. Truth would 
bring them faster than anything if 
they would only believe it. Lefs 
work it out! It would be great! Now 
to work, if you don't mind. 

''In a sunny nook by a babbling 
brook I have built my mansion/' 

O. Henry was very enthusiastic 
, over the idea of a magazine. Refer- 
ring to it again, he said, "Call it the 
Sphinx/' Get at it at once. Have it 
contain only tales which teach, and 
Wisdom/' 

Once when he talked on until late 
in the evening, and we became tired, 



COMMENTS 23 

he said, when the lateness of the hour 
was mentioned: 

''It is all the same here; I forget. 
My impatience is still that stumbling 
block. With many thanks — good 
night/' 

One rainy day we were ready 
eariier than usual and O. Henry was 
evidently in exceptionally good hu~ 
mor, greeting us with: 

'Welly this is a surprise! Ifs 
bully r 

"Kind of nice in here. We do not 
feel the rain, but we like sunshine bet- 
ter/' 

One story we received was not up 
to the O. Henry standard, and we did 
not hesitate to say so. Our views 
must have been rather more force- 
fully expressed than we realized, for 
he said: 

. . "I have read and had many criti- 
cisms of my stories before, but they 
never came as hard or as fast as this 
one. Wipe it out/' 



24 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

With that he redictated the last 
half of the story, changing it com- 
pletely and to the satisfaction of all. 

With his next story we were par- 
ticularly pleased, and on our saying 
so, he said: 

7 thank you and am glad you really 
like it. Have to watch my P's and 
Q's now or I will lose my publisher. 
It is great to he compelled to do one's 
best. It means the continuation of 
aspiration. Lying Spirits do not 
aspire. Having publishers who will 
accept nothing but the truth and only 
the best one is capable of is a bit of 
a novelty. Pity there are not more 
of them for material, as well as spir- 
itual fiction. You might get Hoover 
to add that plan for conservation of 
paper and ink. If we over here had 
more publishers like you there would 
be more truth spread broadcast. The 
trouble is most of the offices accept 
anything, just so it has a name at- 
tached. 



^<1 



COMMENTS 25 

'Whafs in a name? — Nothing/' 

Whafs in a Truth? — Every- 
thing/' 

Unless the Spirit moving the indi- 
cator on the board is an advanced 
soul, having great power, he usually 
draws from the persons he is work- 
ing through. This O. Henry was at 
times forced to do, and so we under- 
stood, when one day, instead of start- 
ing a story he said : 

'^Your teacher says you hesitate to 
tell when you are tired. Better to 
have a perfect pen for two lines, than 
none at all for twenty. Tell me the 
moment you become fatigued. There 
is time for the lot. If you are de- 
pleted through my coming, it will he 
curtailed, if not stopped, and that 
would be too dreadful! Much better 
a half a loaf at a time than none at 
all. Please tell me. Your teacher 
thinks you have sufficient without 
what I am dictating, hut feels that it 



26 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

is worth while providing you are not 
in any way injured by the work. I 
so want to have the opportunity. Do, 
kind person, tell me and let us go 
slower. Last night I chattered; no 
reason for it at all, except the pleas- 
ure of doing it, and you were tired, 
the teacher says, before I began/' 

We agreed to be more careful, and 
O. Henry said: 

''That's a bargain.'' * 

In speaking of the many plots 
crowding his mind and which he 
wanted to express, he said: 

''Riches are a burden at times. I 
wish to rid myself of them. Quick 
returns will follow. With much ma- 
terial off my mind I shall be able to 
develop much, more worth while. 
Hurry! Life takes up so many 
hours." 

Before starting a series of stories 
of a different nature from those given 
first, he said: 



COMMENTS 27 

''My wish is to widen the horizon. 
It is important for humanity to 
know. It must recognize the oneness 
of everything. We will write of 
more than man. I will give a series. 
First Beasts — then Flowers and 
Jewels.'' 

When these stories were completed, 
everything seemed to conspire to pre- 
vent the devoting of a quiet hour to 
O. Henry and his stories. Whenever 
constructive work is done, by which 
the Truth may be brought to many, 
the forces of destruction are arrayed 
in opposition. This we felt to the full. 
Twice stories were started and 
stopped after only a few paragraphs 
had been written. In one it was evi- 
dent that O. Henry had been pushed 
aside and a complete sentence injected 
by some "Power of Darkness." We 
at once realized the situation and put 
the "Board" away. 

When next O. Henry came, he 
said : 



28 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

''The time has been long. Why 
keep the Muse silent? I am simply 
overburdened with plots/' 

When asked the cause of the breaks 
in the last story he said : 

'7 find there are still a number of 
people who believe they know better 
how to write my stories than I do. 

This last time it was 'Fiends f It is 
important you keep the door closed 
by demanding you receive only the 
truth — for that prevents their taking 
definite holdf' 

About this time there appeared in 
the papers notices of moving pictures 
made from the O. Henry stories. We 
asked him what he thought of them, 
and his answer, concise as usual, 
was: 

''Foolish rehash of yesterday's 
ignorance/' 

In commenting on how few be- 
lieved and how difficult it would be to 
find a publisher, O, Henry answered: 



COMMENTS 29 

'^My belief is you will have to do 
it yourself ultimately, if you cannot 
find some one zvho is independent. 
The trouble is that in a concern, one 
may believe, while the rest of the 
company do not yet see!' 

The conditions of everyday life be- 
came worse. We were able to snatch 
only a few minutes with O. Henry 
and asked him if he felt the confu- 
sion. 

''It is a regular whirlpool, he said ; 
the boat rocks. Until you can have 
quiet I think it would be wiser to 
postpone trying to write. My wish 
is added to yours, for if all disturb- 
ance is eliminated we can then accom- 
plish a great deal without effort f' 

On New Year's eve we received 
greetings from those with whom we 
had been closely associated in work, 
and last of all came O. Henry. He 
said: 

'7 do not belong, but I may come 
to the party, may I not? 



30 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

'7 am content to wait until it will 
be only a pleasure to hold converse 
and when we can relax to a real con- 
fab. 

''They are good stories, if I do say 
it — but they cannot believe in a leop- 
ard changing his spots. Out upon 
that spot! 

''An amazing thing that the stolid 
English are more awake spiritually 
than Americans, who have not yet 
been touched vitally. Some day 
they will awake and arise — and I 
hope then I can take part in the pro- 
cession. 

"My greetings and all aid possible 
for the year to come.'' 

Several weeks later he said: 

"This is the first opportunity I 
have had to hold 'mind' with you. 

"Interesting expression that, when 
one realizes how true it is that mind 
is the only real point of contact, al- 
though when on your plane we speak 



COMMENTS 31 

only of the physical nearness of 
others. 

''Is it true that the hour is to he 
re-establishedf If that is the case, 
we ought to turn out something zvorth 
while/' 

On being told that the poem, 
"Sleeping/' which he had given us, 
was to be read to the Poetry Society, 
it seemed to appeal to his sense of 
humor, for he said: 

''If I was not to all appearances 
dead, that would be my death, I shall 
have a fearful attack of stage-fright. 
I do hope they zvon't call 'Author!' 

'"I like this house. It is so restful 
and harmonious. It is a smiling island 
of loveliness in a black sea of pitch. 
I shall stretch here at ease tonight 
and rest and live happily.'' 

A. Houghton Pratt. 




O. Henry's Ghost Answers the Ques- 
tions of a Newspaper Man Re- 
garding ''Over There'' 

^O he desires to know how 

we folks live? 
Queer ! the idea humanity 

hugs to its breast of how 
different life must of necessity be 
over here. 

Tell him that at present it is New 
York at its worst, on a day of cele- 
bration, — with streets crowded, peo- 
ple pushing in all directions, friends 
meeting, exchanging greetings and 
passing on. To us life is the same, 
with the exception that now time is 
no longer a factor. 
' Our emotions are the same — until 
we learn the wisdom of eliminating 
all unworthy ones. 



34 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

Our desires the same — only now 
they are satisfied almost immediately. 
We desire to eat and we have food. 
All is the same, only of finer material, 
not so dense. 

It is as if we were in airships above 
you — seeing all, comprehending all, 
and yet unable to make you hear. 
To the few are given ears attuned 
to hear and eyes which behold, but 
humanity as a whole is blind. 

If you could by any method make 
the world realize that to us here each 
and every THOUGHT aflfects us 
more poignantly than all the sen- 
tences uttered and that we are up- 
lifted and made joyous by each 
thought of love sent out, no matter 
to whom, all hate would vanish from 
the earth. 

Clothing? Just the same as ever, 
only we are glad to discard the old 
garments for new ones more beauti- 
ful, after we have been here for a 



OVER THERE 35 

while, and when that desire comes, 
the material is at hand with which 
to create new garments. Verily, over 
here thoughts become things quickly. 

There are those here who do not 
aspire for newer or better things, and 
so they remain in their same condi- 
tion. 

Aspiration is the force here which 
pushes you on to better and greater 
achievements 

Houses ? Certainly we have them ; 
each one to his liking, for he builds 
it as he desires, with the aid of others; 
all lend helping hands over here, 
and life becomes a proper mixture 
of work, play and study. 

Yes, there are places where hate, 
envy and all the evils still hold sway, 
and if those are the things which 
you enjoy, you dwell in that locality. 

Whatever you in your soul desire 
you receive. Ask and it is given you ; 
seek higher and you find; and it is 



36 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

truly to be said : "As a man thinketh 
so he receives and is/' 

Naturally, people of the world are 
going to say: "O. H. cannot write 
from above — if what he says is true, 
he would be below." Having spent 
several years in Hell — on earth — 
after I arrived in this country I was 
mighty glad to change my environ- 
ment when I discovered where I had 
been dwelling, — ^and that there was 
no need of remaining, unless I 
wished, — so I gave notice to the 
landlord I was moving at once. 

The earth is a pretty poor place 
when you make a hell out of it, and 
it might be a heaven if we would only 
have faith, love and aspire. 

The world is on a precipice and 
New York is tottering on the edgel 
Will you wake up and save yourselves 
or will you once more be swept away 
by the flood? 



JforetDorb 

"I wish to tell the world what is 
theirs for the asking. 

To try and give them a new view- 
point — in place of their erroneous 
ideas. 

Before, I wrote what the Self saw 
only — now it is what / know/' 



37 



iHp J^uMit tottt) tile Bebtl 




T was the hour when souls 
simply cling to their bodies 
by the merest thread^ — 
when I met His Satanic 
Majesty. 

He is well named, for he is majestic 
in every sense of the word- — majestic 
of mien — majestic of gesture, of ex- 
pression, and a god to look upon. 

He is a deceptive person, for one 
meeting him casually would think he 
was one of the great and good men 
of the day — abroad on errands of 
mercy and with kindness in his heart 
for all humanity. So carefully does 
he conceal his identity that he resem- 
bles most of mankind — who are one 
person to themselves and quite an- 
other to the world of men. 

We met. He knew me, but I had 
not yet had the pleasure of knowing 
41 



42 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

this majestic lord — or thought I had 
not — ^and so was flattered when he 
accosted me and made me welcome. 

"I was told you were coming, and 
so came to meet you," he said, with a 
smile of geniality. "We hoped to 
have greeted you earlier." 

''Just a minute," I said. "Who are 
you? Who told you I was coming?" 

Making a sweeping gesture, and 
ignoring my questions, he continued : 

"Our land is fair — as you see — ^but 
there are many wonders which I de- 
sire to show you. Wonders which 
are unheard of — not even dreamt of 
— and which will make you desire to 
remain among us, I feel confident." 

With this, my arm was taken in 
friendly fashion, and we proceeded 
up an avenue lined with trees perfect 
in form and foliage — passed hand- 
some houses, with playing fountains, 
flowers, and birds in abundance. 

With a magnificent gesture he 



MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 43 

swept all this out of the way. "The 
homes of our servants. We enter 
now the domains of those who rule 
and where we hope you will abide.'' 

The turn of the street brought us 
to an estate situated on the crest of 
a magnificent mountain. Winding 
roads of dazzling whiteness and 
smoothness led through a garden of 
flowers and wonderful trees. Run- 
ning streams made music, and the 
song of birds — with brilliant plum- 
age. 

With no word spoken — ^but many 
implied by gesture and nod — we 
reached at last the mansion. Trans- 
parent — the walls seemed — heavy the 
air, with perfume. It was a palace 
of dreams — resting in the hollow of 
my hand. 

With a smile of winning sweet- 
ness he said : 

"This is yours. Will you rest?'' 

"Mine! For what?" I exclaimed. 



44 MV TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

*'Do you give palaces like this to all 
your visitors?'' 

"Not to all/' he answered; "only to 
our favored ones." 

"Why am I so favored, then? 
What have I done to bring me this?" 

"Nothing," he answered, ''as yet, 
but we have hopes of great things 
from you. We expect you will be 
of great benefit to us; will aid us in 
promoting our cause." 

"And how?" I queried. 

"Come, let us sit and sup and we 
will talk it over." 

Leading me gently forward, we en- 
tered a banqueting hall, where costly 
viands and sparkling wines reposed 
among flowers; and gold and silver, 
and ruby and diamond, sapphire and 
emerald decked each goblet — while 
behind our places were fair women, 
who smiled and breathed perfume 
upon the air. 

Too dazed to remonstrate, I took 



MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 4S 

my place, and, unconscious of what 
I did, sipped my wine from its jew- 
eled goblet. 

Lifting his wine, he said : "To our 
better acquaintance — our Brother- 
hood, I hope." 

"To our better acquaintance, cer- 
tainly — but what do you mean by 
Brotherhood?'' 

"That I will explain. In this 
mountain fastness there is a secret 
abode, which only the elect can en- 
ter, and where the members set in 
motion great events and accomplish 
great deeds. We have need of one 
like you to assist us." 

"What do you feel I can do?" I 
asked. "My talents are slight. I do 
not comprehend my selection." 

"Ah! That is not to be wondered 
at — for you have not correctly 
gauged your talents and ability. 

"Do you realize that you have the 
greatest talent ever known — in one 
direction ?" 



46 MY TUSSLE WITH THi DEVIL 

"What!" I gasped. 

"Quite true! I will tell you. 

"In the beginning you were pre- 
sented, by lesser gods, with a talent 
for love of everything, with love for 
the pure, for the true, for the beau- 
tiful. You aspired to be one of the 
unknown workers for humanity — ^to 
create beauty, in poem and song; to 
weave for them music which would 
make life an ecstacy. 

To scatter happiness was your 
ambition. Jealousy was unknown to 
you, and envy a word you never even 
thought of. 

Kindness was your pass-word in 
the realm from which you came — ^but 
we, who were observing you, recog- 
nized a power much greater than you 
knew — a power to work results magi- 
cal in their effect — and so we came 
near you and sought to make your 
better acquaintance. 

You were a shy bird, difficult to 



MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 47 

catch, however, and it took us many 
eons of time before we finally won 
your confidence." 

''What was this great ability?" I 
interrupted. 

''You wish to know? That is well, 
for I see we shall be able to work 
more harmoniously if your interest is 
aroused," he replied. "I will tell you. 
It was — but why should I say 'it was,' 
rather, it is still, the great gift you 
possess, and which we desire to have 
you give to us in all its fullness. Let 
us review a bit what use you made 
of it. 

First, you were disappointed in 
the love of the woman whom you de- 
sired, and so began its development — 
until love for man or woman had no 
place in your heart. 

Then commenced your clear vision, 
which showed you the evil which 
was in all minds and hearts, and 
you recognized no one could be 



48 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

trusted. Ultimately, you nearly per- 
fected that branch of your gift, and 
so had an honored seat at our coun- 
cil table — and we desire you again to 
take your place at its head." 

'^But why?'' I interrupted, "did I 
lose that exalted seat?'' 

"Alas!" he answered, "you went 
back to your old habits. An animal 
was the cause of your downfall — a 
mongrel cur!" 

"You interest me," I said. "Ex- 
plain how that occurred." 

"You were in a forsaken village — 
having lost your way and wandered 
there — and without food. Little by 
little your strength left you, and you 
lay down under a tree, with all hope 
abandoned. A rustle in the dead 
grass aroused you, and presently a 
tiny, mangy dog crept up and licked 
your hand. 

The relief from the loneliness was 
so great that you foolishly took the 
cur in your arms." 



MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 49 

"Foolishly!" I exclaimed. 

"Yes, foolishly; for that was the 
beginning of your loss of power. 
True, the animal led you out to safety 
and warmth, eventually. But what a 
seed was sown! 

Where before the harvest was 
well-nigh perfect, it now had the 

weeds of Pity and Gratitude So 

do the mighty fall ! 

That was a fatal sowing and reap- 
ing for you, for it even affected your 
view of men. You commenced to see 
in them bits of character before un- 
seen. Such useless things as Con- 
sideration, Love and Pity! 

Your habits, too, were affected by 
this poisonous weed. Where before 
you had been perfect in all ways vile, 
you now commenced to give up some 
of the most brilliant jewels — betrayal 
of women — the excitement and joy of 
perfect and exhilarating wines. Why ! 
you even went so low as to prefer 



50 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

Sparkling waters from Nature's 
sources." 

Holding my jeweled goblet high, I 
laughed and said: "To what depths 
can man sink!" 

"Ah! I rejoice to see you agree 
with me. It is well* We shall suc- 
ceed together admirably, I feel sure," 
he made answer. 

Then, drawing closer to me, "Now 
to our desires and agreement." 

"By all means," I replied. "I am 
eager to hear your plan. For, cer- 
tainly, if this domain is part of the 
reward, it interests me." 

"Good! That is better," he re- 
plied. 

"When you first left our abode and 
joined with others, who had contrary 
beliefs, we felt it was final — but as 
we watched and studied your soul — 
for you know, of course, souls are 
clearly visible to us — and saw there 
was within it, still, the desire to con- 



MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 51 

tinue as one of us, I was given the 
task of keeping alive that seed, and 
adding to its force, so that in time a 
bountiful harvest might repay us. 

We feel that time has arrived. 

As I told you, this palace, with all 
it contains, its vault of priceless gems 
— such as are on your goblet, these 
fair women, and hundreds like them, 
are yours. Any honor you feel you 
desire shall be granted, and you shall 
be the lord of whatsoever you desire 
to possess." 

At this I glanced around the hall. 
Looked at the smiling faces — slender, 
voluptuous forms — at the sparkling- 
gems — at the vista which was spread 
before me through the open windows 
— and then I mused upon what I could 
possess in addition — all honors what- 
soever I desired. Coming back, 
finally, to a study of His Majesty^s 
face, I found his eyes fixed upon me. 

"Will you accept?" he asked. 



52 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

"That is a little mystery, too, of 
yours, is it not? You ask if I will 
accept all that counts in the world, 
but you have not yet told me what I 
am to do for it all. Tell me that side 
of the mystery," I replied. 

"Only a simple thing! 

Renew your association with us 
and take the leadership of the band 
which is ready to go forth and sow 
broadcast the seeds which are so 
much craved by the world. The 
seeds of Hate, of Malice, of Licen- 
tiousness, of Cruelty. 

Helps us to rid the world of gay- 
ety which is simple and wholesome. 
Help us to give them a greater ex- 
citement. Let us arouse the idea of 
hunting within their breasts — ^but 
children for game — not birds, which 
are only beautiful and give song, 
that would be tame sport! 

Take the lead and aid us to sow 
Revenge broadcast." 



MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 53 

•'Is that all?'' I queried. 

"All for the present/' he answered. 
"Later, new things can be brought to 
successful issue, if you desire. But 
that will satisfy our Brotherhood for 
the present." 

"Let us drink to our unity," he 
said, raising high his glass and look- 
ing with flashing eyes into mine. 
I rose to my feet, goblet high. 

"To our Brotherhood!" I shouted; 
"May it be annihilated forever !" 



@iie Contesit 



Clbe Contest 

Yucatan — Time : Midnight 

IFE met Death in the room 
of Joe, who lay on a bed 



i^^^S^wi^ 



in the corner, with a pain- 
racked body. 

Suspense as to the visitant made 
him almost unconscious, yet thor- 
oughly cognizant. It was as if some 
part of his brain stopped, while the 
rest leaped away from the body — 
then, with a whirl which made him 
reel, leaped back again. 

Gazing at him from a chair which 
stood in front of the fire was a softly 
clad woman. In her hands was 
myrtle and thyme, which made mys- 
terious shadows upon the wall. 

His humble room seemed decorated 
by a master hand. Each individual 
article took on a luster hitherto un- 
known. 

57 



58 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

With a movement, however, his 
eyes were brought back to the door, 
through which a figure slowly en- 
tered. It was radiant with a light 
which dazzled. Entering slowly, it 
stopped at the foot of his bed and 
said, in a voice sweeter than any mu- 
sic ever heard. 

"I am Death ! Will you come with 
me to a Summerland where there is 
only joy, and pain is unknown?" 

"Death!" he gasped. "You, Death! 
But you do not look as I thought 
Death did! You are beautiful!" 

"Yes," replied the figure, "I am the 
most beautiful of all, except one, but 
my gifts are more beautiful than all. 

I bring surcease from trials, free- 
dom from pain, shelter from all 
storms and peace. 

I, — who am so much feared by 
mankind, — have only joy and happi- 
ness. 

Make ready and come with me! 



THE CONTEST 59 

I promise you all you have ever 
longed for — sunshine, flowers and 
beauty." 

Keeping his eyes riveted on the fig- 
ure, Joe sat erect and said: 

"How am I to know you are not 
fooling me? You don't look like 
Death. I don't believe you !" 

The figure smiled. 

"That is not unusual," it replied, 
"for men have a false idea of me. 
They think I am old and hideous and 
take from them all they hold dear. 

They do not know I give them all 
they have earned and bring them the 
solace of retrieving all past errors. 

I give them the opportunity of 
seeing how and why they failed. 

I watch their silly strivings for 
wealth, their many useless mansions, 
their hates and loves— which are only 
envy in fancy dress — knowing the 
time will come when they will be 
obliged to open the door to me. 



60 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

Some welcome me, for they have 
built their mansion and know it only 
awaits their coming; that joy and 
happiness are theirs — love, free from 
all malice, and beauty in every form. 

They welcome me, because they 
have built their home on rock and it 
stands with door open to receive 
them, and they are not afraid, but 
rejoice. 

"Others, however, fear me and re- 
fuse to look at me, saying, 'You are 
ugly! Go away!' And they shut 
their ears and refuse to be com- 
forted. 

They are afraid, for they have no 
mansion to which to go, but are home- 
less and feel that they are outcasts. 
Why? Not because of me, but be- 
cause they have forgotten to prepare 
their mansion and so are homeless 
and beggars. They cling to worn-out 
trumpery, keeping much more from 
them than they possess, 



THE CONTEST 61 

Give up this mansion of yours and 
come and follow me to new fields 
which are filled to overflowing." 

Joe still stared, too much overcome 
to reply, when from the chair by the 
fire a figure arose. 

It was clad in soft clinging gar- 
ments, with a veil which hid the face, 
and the voice was deep and harsh, 
with an undertone of sadness. 

"Wait! Not yet can he give you 
his answer. He must choose between 
us." 

At this Joe turned his eyes toward 
the new speaker, and seemed to find 
once again the ability to speak. 

"Who are you?" he asked. 

"Life!" the figure replied. "Life! 
With all its dreams, its passions, its 
joys. Life! which has given you all 
your pain and misery. Life! which 
has snatched from you all your youth, 
your joy, and given you only disillu- 
sionment ! 



62 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

Life! which promised you happi- 
ness, health, wealth, fame! 

Life! which dances and sings and 
has no need for tomorrow. Will you 
stay with me? See! I hold out to 
you healing herbs that will bring for- 
getfulness and give you power to go 
on and achieve what you desire. 

See! I offer you fame! 

You shall be able to sit above 
others, — to cast them forth, to spit 
upon them. You shall be lord of the 
cities. Fairest women shall smile and 
caress you ; men shall sue you for rec- 
ognition. Will you stay ?'' 

Joe made a motion of assent. 

There was a moment's stillness, 
then, with a laugh which froze his 
blood. Life said: 

^'Again I win, and your beauty and 
your gifts are spurned. Death! 
Again I win/' 

Death smiled and said : "I am con- 
tent. Show him your face!'* 



THE CONTEST 63 

At this command the figure began 
to unwind from the head the drapery 
which had enveloped it, and Joe, with 
staring eyes, looked into a hollow 
shell, a skeleton! 




Sleeping 



Gangs 

In suits of gray 

Worked upon the highway 

In a Southern State. 

Stones 

Were their companions, 

Coarse food 

Their nourishment. 

Cruelty 

Met often with Greed 

And Fear 

Lived with Hatred, 

When Love 

Sought entrance 

On a night 

In June, 

Trying 

All the entrances 

Unavailingly, 

And tiring at last. 



68 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

Klindness came 

And whispering 

In Love's ear 

Said: 

''Down the road 

You will find open several houses. 

Better go! 

I will watch here/' 

Love 

Gave thanks, 

And with bounding steps 

Went gayly to the Highway. 

The sun 

Was hot 

And the stones were sharp, 

But the time for rest was near, 

And a little ripple 

Was running along the highway, — 

A tiny little wave 

Of Joy. 

Love 
Seeing this, 



SLEEPING 69 

Danced with glee 
And began to sing: 
"Come with me 
Where the flowers bloom 
And birds make music 
All the noon. 

Sunshine 

Dances, 

Girls give glances 

To the moon. 

Friends 
Take chances, 
Gay their fancies, 
Come with me." 

Startled 

Glances went down the line, 

And Love swept on 

To the end, 

Seeking 

Entrance in each heart 

And sending thrills 



70 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

With delight. 

Until 

To each one 

Passed the word 

"Love is here!'^ 

Backs 

Grew straighter, 
Faces brighter, 
Down the line, 

God 

Crept nearer 

Saying: 

''Come with me! 

Take 

No chances 

With the sleepers — 

Come with me V' 

And down 
The highway 
Swept the summons, 
"Come with me!" 



SLEEPING n 



Gray garments 

Changed 

To gold, 

And only 

Hatred 

And Fear 

Were left uncalled 

From their sleep. 




fearntns 




{earning 

HE lamps on the street 
throw fitful shadows upon 
the pavements, which glis- 
ten with many raindrops. 

Walking slowly, with bent shoul- 
ders and bowed head, is a man with 
slightly graying hair. Round and 
round the square he walks, glancing 
neither to the right nor left, until 
finally, wearying, he crosses the 
street and enters a house where the 
curtains are closely drawn. 

Bits of smilax, rose leaves and 
trodden violets can be seen about the 
steps, and as he opens the door, the 
air is charged with escaping perfume. 

With a hasty glance at the heavy 
draperies which conceal the opening 
to the room, he mounts hurriedly the 
stairs, and with trembling hands 

turns the knob of a door. 

75 



76 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

Gently he pushes it wide, and the 
soft gleam of the lamp plays upon 
the silken draperies of a woman's 
room. 

No sound breaks the stillness as the 
man closes the door and with a heart- 
broken cry throws himself upon his 
knees by the bedside. 

His frame shakes from head to 
foot as his arms are thrown across 
the bed which had so recently held all 
his world. 

At last, worn out by the battle, his 
body relaxes, and released from its 
leash, the spirit meets the occupant 
of the room 

Clasped in his arms, with gentle, 
loving fingers she strokes his face and 
says : 

"I am still here with you — always, 
as you are now with me." 

His clasp tightens as he sobs : 

"I thought that you were dead — 
that you had left me." 



YEARNING 77 

"Loving you, how could I leave 
you?" she answered. "And there is 
no such thing as death i One only 
changes ! 

I am just as you are now; and as 
we have been each night we have 
gone out together. The only change 
is that during a few hours you go 
back to the world of business, while 
I wait for you in the land of art 

Dry your eyes, beloved, for when 
you weep, you keep me from creating 
the beautiful things we have longed 
for. All the material is here at my 
hand, but I must be free to work. 

The clocks of the city are strik- 
ing the hour for you to begin your 
work and for me also. Go now! And 
tonight we will tell each other of what 
we have accomplished." 

The striking of the hour breaks the 
stillness of the room, and the man by 
the bedside stirs and then gazes with 
unseeing eyes at the empty bed and 



78 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

the room with its softly glowing 
lamp. 

A well-remembered perfume floats 
upon the air and his hair is brushed 
as by a fairy wind. 

With arms outstretched, he rises 
to his feet. 

'Tell me it is true! That, if it was 
a dream, that dreams are the truth 
of life! Give me some sign that I 
may know, my darling. I must know ! 
I must! Give me some little sign!" 

As he gazes at the curtain which 
conceals the doorway, there is a faint 
rustle of silken drapery, and a shadow 
seems upon it for just a moment. 

The lamp burns low, the man sits 
motionless. 

"Was it true? Was it a sign, or 
was it only a movement by the 
wind?" 

II. 

Seated on the sidewalk, crying bit- 
terly, is a small boy, holding in his 
arms a dog. 



YEARNING 79 

The grief of the child attracts a 
passer-by, who questions: 

"What is the trouble, Httle man?'' 

Between sobs, the child explains 
that he missed his pet and found it in 
the road. 

"He didn't come when I called. He 
always minds. And now he doesn't 
tell me anything! Why doesn't he?" 

"Let me see, little man," says the 
stranger, and stoops to take the dog, 
which the boy clasps more tightly. 

Putting his hand on the child's 
head: "Poor little man! I am soiry, 
but your little friend will never do 
any of those things again, for he is 
dead." 

With a cry of joy the child jumps 
up, and says : 

"Is that it? Well, that's all right; 
for now he will always stay where I 
am." 

- With a quick gesture the man put 
out his hand and caught the child. 



80 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

''What do you mean by that ? Why 
are you happy, now, when I tell you 
he is dead?'' 

Gazing upward at the man's face, 
the child answers: 

"Why! Mother told me so. She 
says there is no death — there only is 
another life — and when we love any 
one very much they never leave us. 

She says that when its daylight 
we cannot see them because they are 
so beautiful, but that at night we can, 
when we go to sleep — and that's our 
real life — when we think we are only 
sleeping." 

The man clutched at the child al- 
most wildly. 

"You believe that, little man?" 

"Of course! It's true! Now, I 
must take Fido to mother, for she 
knows what to do to make him beau- 
tiful — and then tonight we'll play 
hide-and-seek, as we were going to^ 
this morning." 



YEARNING 81 

With a happy and joyous "good- 
bye" ringing in his ears, the man 
gazed at the Httle figure flying down 
the street. 

"I wonder! Yes! It was a sign, 
for is it not said — 'A little child shall 
lead them!' '' 




!3ntma(£S 



My wish is to widen the horizon. 
It is important for humanity to know. 
It must recognize the oneness of 
everything. 

We will write of more than man. 

I will give a series : First — Beasts ; 
then, Flowers and Jewels. 



85 




Meartnesssi 

L— THE KING 

lACING forward — back^ 
ward — backward — for- 
ward, to and fro — a King. 
With world weary eyes 
he gazes out of his window in search 
of his soul's desire. 

Before him a seething mass of 
heads, with eyes riveted upon him. 
Immovable, he stands and contem- 
plates them. 

Of what do they think? 
Have they souls which long and 
cry out, day and night, for liberty ? 

Or are they satisfied with the nar- 
row ring in which they move ? 

Do they know the joy of freedom: 
of vast expanses? 

A surge of hatred passes through 

him and he has a longing to slay that 
87 



88 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

sodden mass. Then it passes, and 
with a weary movement once more 
he paces to and fro. 

Of what does he think? 

Does he know that once again has 
been enacted an old drama and a 
King sold into captivity, or does he 
feel that it should be said : 

"Forgive them, for they know not 
what they do.'' 

11. THE TOILER 

Up — down — down — up — from 
early morn. 

Up — down — with slow and steady 
strides, until the rich brown earth 
holds up eager hands to receive its 
gifts. 

Up — down — down — ^up — weariK' 
plods the Toiler until the sun is high, 
when, with a long-drawn sigh, the 
time of rest is welcomed. 

A bit of shade^ a refreshing drink, 



WEARINESS 89 

and a little rest before the weary 
round begins again. 

Up — down — down — up — day in 
and out. 

" ^Monotonous/ you say ? Yes ! if 
only the thought of the weary rounds 
is held. Compensation comes from a 
pat on the neck, which tells of appre- 
ciation and affection and the knowl- 
edge of being a necessary part of the 
whole. The harvest / sow is reaped 
and lessens in other lands the harvest 
of the Reaper. 

"Up — down - — down — up, with a 
stronger pull, for I am doing my bit, 
and 

" *To him who is faithful in small 
things much shall be given.' '* 




I. 

EAR the door sits an im- 
pressive looking man. 

''It is growing dark, 
mademoiselle; just turn up 
the light.'' 

The interior is flooded with light at 
this command. 

In a far corner lies a spaniel, gaz- 
ing with pain-stricken eyes at the 
man. He is too worn in spirit to do 
more than give a feeble move, now 
and then, to first one ear and then an- 
other. But worn and spent as he is, 
his eyes are alert for movement on 
the part of the man, and as the man 
rises from his chair, the dog utters 
a faint cry of fear and begins to 
shake; but his trembling gradually 
ceases as the man goes in the opposite 
direction, and he closes his eyes in 
complete weariness. 

91 



92 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

Each moment has seemed hours to 
him, for fear has dragged at his soul. 

What new torture awaited him 
when that huge form moved — to 
what unknown horror was he to be 
compelled to submit? 

Helpless — chained — and too weak 
to fight, he was at the mercy of 
THAT, which sat in front of him. 

It looked like his beloved master in 
form, but the voice was different and 
the touch 

At the thought of the hand which 
had caressed him only two days, or 
was it two years ago, he gave a little 
whimper, which was quickly stifled 
as he recalled that the slightest move 
on his part brought that which gave 
him only misery — pulling, testing, 
delicate nerves pressed, and pain in- 
describable. 

Silence reigns, and at last, worn 
out, he closes his eyes and sleeps. 

Once more he is in a room where 



THE SLAVE 93 

Sparkles a glowing fire, and, with 
ears alert, listens for a well-known 
step. Joy permeates him as it comes 
nearer and nearer, and then the door 
opens. 

With a waving of banner and joy- 
ous greeting he leaps to meet a caress 
and welcome: 

*'Well, old boy! Glad to see me? 
Bring me my slippers. There's a 
good fellow." 

The joy of taking some part of that 
dear one close to him and carrying 
it where he knew it belonged! The 
excitement of returning and hearing 
"Right you are, old boy! now the 
other,'' and then the delicious sense 
of work well done and the praise 
earned, and the happiness and joy 
of the hand on his head, while both 
relaxed to the warmth of the fire. 

A sudden pang of pain rouses him, 
and the remembrance is shattered 
and dismay takes its place. 



94 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

What has happened? All he can 
recall is standing on the doorstep, 
waiting for that promised walk, and 
suddenly a jerk, and he is flying 
through the air and is thrust into a 
black and yelling mass of his 
brothers. 

Then a brilliantly lighted place and 
a gruflF voice, which says: 

"That's the one. He's a thorough- 
bred. Bring him.'' 

Running, darting this way, that 
way, snapping at his brothers who 
bar his escape, he dashes here, there, 
everywhere, looking in vain for an 
outlet, only to be cornered at last, 
with the same kind of a jerk which 
had torn him away from his door- 
step. 

"Put up a fight, didn't he? The 
experiment will be all the more inter- 
esting now, for the nerves are ex- 
cited.'' 

Then^ straps and buckles which 



THE SLAVE 95 

held him down, and cruel wires which 
prevented his breathing, and then 
THAT which was at the back of the 
room, standing over him with shin- 
ing things, and then such pain as 
made him forget all things as he sank 
down — and down — and down ! 

With a start; he realizes there has 
been a movement in the room, and a 
shadow looms toward him. In vain 
to shrink — to avoid that hand which 
will soon be upon him, for he is 
chained and unable to move. 

What new terror awaits him? 

His heart beats to suff ocatioii and 
his eyes seek dumbly for aid. 

Nearer and nearer comes the 
shadow, and he abandons all hope, 
and with a cry of despair his body 
relaxes, as a figure looms over him. 

Again the firelit room and a loved 
voice : 

"Come, boy! Let's to bed and 
sleep." 



96 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

With a mighty struggle he forces 
the spirit to rise, and once more opens 
his eyes, to find the fire Hght vanished 
and the loved voice silent — only a 
looming doom with shining things 
over him, and a voice, angry with 
thwarted ambition. 

"Too late! He's dead/' 

But a spark of the spirit still lin- 
gers in the body, and the faithful eyes 
see a fi relit room and a beloved form, 
and with a farewell wave of his ban- 
ner, obeys the command: 

"Let's sleep!'' 



THE SLAVE 97 

FREEDOM 
11. 

Worn and weary, a man enters a 
room where a fire burns upon the 
hearth. 

Throwing himself into a chair, he 
glances at the vacant rug at his feet, 
and, with a sob in his voice, says: 

"Old Boy ! No slippers for me to- 
night by my old faithful." 

No sound breaks the stillness, and 
he gazes forelornly towards his room. 

Then he sits erect — rigid, for 
through the door comes a dearly 
loved figure, head high and banner 
waving in anticipation of "Well 
done, good and faithful servant," and 
love shining in his eyes, and in his 
mouth — a slipper! 

With suspended breath the man 
watches, and even at the touch of 
cold nose upon his hand, remains 
rigid. Then, with a cry, he throws 



98 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

out his arms to encircle his comrade — 
only empty air greets him. 

But at his feet lies — a slipper! 

In stupefaction he looks at it, and 
then around the room. 

Nothing! 

Nothing ? No ! surely something is 
still in the familiar place — something 
which is faithful always and remains 
where love keeps the place! 

A light of understanding breaks 
over the man's face as he takes the 
slipper. 

^*0h! ye of little faith!'' 



Jflotoersf 




MmionsLxiti 

L 

UST outside of a walled 
city there is a field of 
white — little, delicate, sUm 
emissaries of peace, waft- 
ing their messages of healing broad- 
cast. With a ringing of delicate mu- 
sical bells, they say: 
"Come with me! Here is joy and 
peace." 
Within the walls a lonely watcher 
in a tower looks and listens. 

Hidden from view are the tools of 
trade. 

Gazing on the field, he muses on the 
infallibility of the law, which with 
undeviating regularity brings forth 
the thousands of tiny Heralds. 
Surely they are a symbol of some part 
of that Great Whole— some plan is 

back of their being! 
101 



102 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

He looks over the walled city which^ 
he guards, and nowhere is there any- 
thing which is as wonderful as what 
lies outside. 

Ah! now he knows! 

Outside is Freedom— with all its 
loveliness and fragrance. 

Outside is God's World with only 
bells, orchestra of rustling leaves and 
the waving baton of the trees. 

Outside all is Peace — Harmony. 

And what is within ? 

Envy, Vice. Hatred, and stalking 
ever at the head Fear — as Leader — 
whose orchestra is made up of glitter- 
ing instruments of torture, deafening 
batteries, and with Triumph as the 
theme. 

With gold, jewels and honors he 
lures to his band all within the walls, 
murmuring : 

"My lands shall include all things. 
Nothing shall exist which is as perfect 
as my Empire,'' 



MISSIONARIES 103 



But- 



Outside — are dainty, delicate, slim 
bits of loveliness, which, with gentle 
nods and soft waves of perfume 
bring the message that, Outside, all 
is as God intended, for 

"Consider the lilies ! They toil not, 
neither do they spin, and yet I say 
unto you that Solomon in all his glory 
was not arrayed like one of these." 




3reloelK 




inultttubes( 

ITHIN the darkest recesses 
there is a vast multitude 
seeking expression — ris- 
ing with each multitude a 
little higher. 

Rubies, who gather to themselves 
the fading glory of the sun, secretly 
desire the millions of rays which the 
diamond has secured, — while Sap- 
phires, holding the blue winged lights 
of the moon, — seek in vain to acquire 
the rustling of trees and grasses, the 
running of water, — within their 
form. 
Insensate? 

Round and round the spiral they 
travel, — ever spurred, by the force 
lying within each and every one, to 
be more than they are and to express 
All! 

* * * :«c * 

107 



108 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

I recall my youth, in fancy, as so 
many jewels tied to dark recesses 
while aspiring; — The desire to voice 
the Rubies of Multitudes, in Dislike 
and Hatred — reveling in the Emer- 
alds of wealth, and desire for honors 
— while ever knocking at my door 
was the Sapphire, laden with gifts 
of Aspiration. 

In vain the Diamond beckoned, — 
in vain sought to convince me that 
within that recess was all I desired — 
that there was to be found, mingled 
together All as One. 



The Multitudes hurry past, uncon- 
scious that in their path lies the Dia- 
mond. Hurrying, scurrying, they 
push and jostle in a vain endeavor to 
amass Rubies, Emeralds and Sap- 
phires, little realizing that in their 



MULTITUDES 109 

own door yard lies the most priceless 
jewel of all: 

The Diamond of Love. 

I was of the Multitude: — 

Reason said: 

"Seek Emeralds. What matter if 
you borrow Rubies of Hatred to 
gain! Seek Emeralds!*' 

Mind said: 

"What are Emeralds? It is Sap- 
phires you desire. Sapphires — which 
lead you by a radiant path to the sky 
— to starry realms — to lands where 
Inspiration dwells. 

"Seek! 

"Seek Sapphires !" 

Spirit said : 

"You are wrong. It is none of 
these you desire. Seek the Diamond. 
Search for it high and low. Do not 
be beguiled by colors which lure. 
Seek the purest of all. 



no MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

"Seek! 

"Search for Diamonds!'^ 

Alas! the colors of the rainbow 
caught me and I bathed in its rays. 

Now I go seeking! Seeking every- 
where — Diamonds — only Diamonds. 




Hememtirances^ 



L 

The Sentinels: 

Uniforms of green — hardy and 
erect, they wait until mustered — keep- 
ing watch throughout the seasons. 

sfc :(c 3{c H^ ^ 

The Army: 

In glittering array the army stands 
for inspection. 

Russet, gold and green are their 
uniforms, with trimmings of scarlet. 

Unmoved they will stand and re- 
ceive all onslaughts — and if some fall 
in the battle, those remaining will 
still be firm of purpose — turning ever 
a smile of welcome and holding out 
arms to those who seek them. 

Red and russet and gold 

Green and bronze and scarlet 

113 



114 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

How brave in all their glory — how 
steadfast to their purpose — ^how 
gratefully do they bend their heads 
when a wave of love goes to them! 

Majestic — serene — content to fill 
their allotted place — asking not the 
perfume of lilies, nor scent of roses — 
seeking not the sparkling splendor of 
jewels — content with the Emerald, 
Ruby and Topaz, which they hold 
within their own domain. 

So muses the recruit, as with head 
high and shoulders back he wanders 
through the woods — saying farewell 
to all the friends of his boyhood. 

The Sentinels! 

How they have guarded the old 
home from the blasts ! 
"^ How joyfully have the regiment 
given of their life, in order that others 
might revel in their force, and unit- 
ing to protect all who sought their 
shelter. This was what he must keep 
ever in mind — to follow his army 



REMEMBRANCES llS 

friends and do with gladness what- 
ever came his way — without thought 
of honors — only with love for all — 
and cheerfully obey. 

Taking a bit of the uniform of his 
sentinel friends, and a bit of russet 
and gold and scarlet, too, he softly 
places them in his pocket and with a 
salute goes out to join his company. 




inuntttottfi; 



Mvmitionn 

Hardware Store — Time: Midday 

Gazing out of a window which 
overlooked a training field for sol- 
diers was a grizzled old man. Time 
had left his impress with no gentle 
mark, yet around the eyes was a lin- 
gering spark of youth, and about the 
mouth the lines told of a gentle and 
loving spirit. 

As his eyes roamed over the field 
a small squad came into view, march- 
ing in "twos" and wheeling into 
"fours" and "right about," as the 
command was given. 

The gaze of the man grew more 
intense, and the lines about the mouth 
deepened, while, slowly, a flush of 
pride, which could not be controlled, 
swept over the face, and uncon- 
sciously his shoulders squared and his 

119 



120 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

back straightened as his son came into 
view. 

The straight boyish figure marched 
and wheeled in perfect unison with 
his comrades, but there was an in- 
definable power in the set of his head 
and poise of the body, which bespoke 
determination and control beyond the 
ordinary. 

Suddenly the silence is broken by 
a voice, and the man, with a start, 
turns from the window and faces a 
customer who has entered so quietly 
that even the bell on the door has 
failed to make any sound. 

"Good-day to you, sir," said the 
customer. "I have been searching 
the town for some munitions. Have 
you any?" 

"A complete stock — of every- 
thing," the old man answered. 

"Well, I want both large and small. 
Something suitable for a double-bar- 
rel and a self -repeater. Can you sup- 
ply me?" 



MUNITIONS 121 

"Yes. How much of each will you 
have?" 

The man hesitated, and then put- 
ting his hand in his pocket, he drew 
out a bundle of notes and handful of 
gold. 

"That is all I have. Wrap up all 
you can give me for that amount." 

The old man gazed at the money 
and then his eyes traveled toward the 
field where young boys eagerly an- 
swered to the commands sent forth: 
Forward ! March ! 

Turning to his shelves, he took 
down, first, a box marked "For 
double-barrel" and wrapped it up. 
Then, next, came a box labelled "self- 
repeater — all sizes," and then, with 
great care, came the last — "deadly 
mixture — guaranteed." 

Each one he made into a separate 
package and then pushed them to- 
ward his visitor, who thanked him 
and departed. 



122 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

Gathering up the gold and bank 
notes, the old man went to a safe in 
the far corner, and, opening the door, 
took out a drawer marked '^Munition 
Fund" and put the money into it, 
smiHng as he did so. 

Taking his place again at the win- 
dow, he gazed over the field, lost in 
thought, and reviewing in memory 
the years of his youth, when he, too, 
obeyed the command ''Forward! 
March!" 

A sound made him turn, and he 
was confronted by his customer, who, 
in a state of extreme anger, waved 
his packages at him, exclaiming: 

"I asked for munitions ! See what 
you have given me!" 

The old man came forward, and 
taking the boxes, proceeded to read: 

"For double-barrel — warranted, 
'Kindness!' 

"For self-repeater — guaranteed, 
'Joy!' 



MUNITIONS 123 

"Deadly mixture — ^Love ! 

"Well, my friend, what is wrong? 
This is all as it should be!" 

"Should be? I wanted gunpowder 
and cartridges — not that stuff !" 

"You have lost your way, my man. 
On this planet those are our only mu- 
nitions," 




4^otns llonte 




<§otns Home 

HE sky was heavy with 
menacing clouds, and wind 
— howling dismally as it 
blew through the trees— 
when I met a wayfarer who was 
walking, with downcast eyes, along 
the highway which skirted the town. 

Gazing at him sharply, I met a fur- 
tive glance, which held within it 
pleading, and yet had an assurance 
which was compelling. He hesitated 
when we came abreast, and as I felt 
in the mood for converse, I bade him 
''Good-evening." 

''It is a good evening, is it not," 
he replied. "Good, in its freedom of 
elements. They make merry to- 
night." 

This was a strange answer, and my 
curiosity was piqued, and I felt con- 
strained to lead him on further. 

127 



128 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

"You feel the elements are enjoy- 
ing themselves ?'' I asked. 

"Thoroughly," he answered, "but 
one never knows what their decision 
will be." 

"Decision! What do you mean?" 

"Whether they will be content with 
a simple little frolic or if they have 
mischief in their minds," he an- 
swered. 

"Mischief! in their minds!" Surely 
that is a strange expression to use re- 
garding the wind and clouds." 

"Strange? You, too, find it 
strange ?" 

As he spoke he looked at, and yet 
again, not at me, but through me, and 
then continued: 

"To me there is nothing in all the 
Universe without mind. All is alive 
and all make merry or are sad — bring 
joy or sorrow, as their bent may be. 
Just as man can be kind, or cruel, 
make beautiful the world or destroy, 



GOING HOME 129 

SO do the Beings dwelling in the ele- 
ments. 

Tonight they will tell me whether 
I make merry or pass out in sorrow/' 

"That is a strange thing you say! 
'Make merry or pass out in sorrow/ 
What does that portend?" L ques- 
tioned. 

"Sir," he answered, "you do not 
understand, and yet you look to me 
as one of us. 

Tonight I am going home and I 
have not yet made the necessary de- 
cision as to my going— whether it 
shall be a right merry leave-taking 
or one of sadness. Today a winged 
messenger came and told me my exile 
was ended and I could start for my 
home tonight/' 

"And where is your home?" I 
asked. 

"That is for me to decide/' 

"For you to decide ! Is it not where 
you lived last?" I asked. 



130 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

"Alas! no. I have lost that beau- 
tiful place, but there are others for 
me to choose from. Or, perhaps, I 
shall elect to remain here a little 
longer — I have left so much undone. 
I find so many words unspoken 
which would have given joy, perhaps, 
— so many things postponed. I did 
not give heed to the passing of hours 
for I felt years were before me. But 
the summons has come and I am to 
go home — to go to the house I have 
been building.'' 

His eyes were fixed on the horizon 
and my gaze followed him, for so in- 
tent was he that I felt there was some 
thing there I could see. Then, sud- 
denly, the wind swept past us with a 
mighty gust. The trees bent beneath 
its force, and, with a sudden upfling- 
ing of his head he turned toward me, 
and said, pointing to the horizon: 

"See! There is my road and just 
at the end of the lane my home. Yes ? 



GOING HOME 131 

after all, it will be good to go back. 
The weeds are in the garden and it 
seems neglected, for no love has en- 
tered into the care of it; but there 
are blossoms among the grass which 
has overgrown the doorstep, and I 
can make it beautiful, after all. Just 
a little care, a bit of love, and time 
spent in taking out the nettles, and — 
yes, it can be made a home. See! 
there are children down the street. I 
can build swings and make toys for 
their playthings, and it can be a merry 
place.'' 

Watching him with amazement, I 
moved along at his side, speaking no 
word, until we came to a little shanty 
all by itself, on the dreariest part of 
the bluff. It was forbidding, and I 
remembered it was the place of the 
old miser and renegade of the town. 
As we reached the door a sudden 
noise within made me pause, and T 



132 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

pushed open the rickety door. From 
a corner of the hut came a voice : 

"So you have come at last ! I have 
just been waiting until you reached 
me, for I am going home. Going 
home to just a little place like this, 
but it has flowers in its yard and 
there are children who need me." 

There came a sudden terrific whirl 
of wind and dust — the door slammed 
to and my knees shook, — for I was 
alone — no soul in sight, no habita- 
tion — only scurrying clouds and trees 
bending under the blast, while above 
me floated down a voice: 

"I am going home! Are you 
ready? Make ready! for soon you, 
too, will be 

GOING HOME 



Mv Heartli 




IRANDFATHER sits in an 
old armchair. The back of 
it boasts an anti-macassar 
in many colors, while the 
seat has a patchwork cushion. 

Grandmother occupies a low 
rocker, which moves slowly to and 
fro, as she softly hums the hymn of 
the Sunday service. 

Keeping silence is grandfather's 
'long suit" — while making, in reality, 
my life. 

He is a sturdy old chap, with a 
will and determination which has car- 
ried him beyond anti-macassars and 
patchwork cushions, and centered it- 
self upon me No fly was ever more 
helpless ! 

I make the announcement : 

"Life is going to give me some- 
thing more than this country town." 

135 



136 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

Silence reigns on the left of the 
hearth, and creak ! creak ! and a gentle 
hum answers me from the right. 

Minutes, which seem hours, pass — 
but emboldened by the pictures seen 
in the coals, once more a voice is 
heard : 

"When I am grown up I am going 
to the city ! and I am going to travel ! 
and I am going around the world! 
and I am going to make a heap of 
money and be famous!" 

Silence ! 

Creak — creak ! ! 

Half of eternity passes — when 
once more, emboldened spirit takes 
hold of courage and dares to speak. 

"I have made up my mind and I 
am going to do what I said, and noth- 
ing shall keep me from it!" 

Silence! 

Creak — creak ! ! 

Years pass in review. The coals 
burn to ash, and from a far-off 
sphere issues a voice: 



MY HEARTH 137 

"ril have none of that nonsense. 
You'll do what you are told to do!" 

Silence ! 

Creak — creak!! 

The pictures fade. A clock strikes. 
The chair groans and grandfather 
goes in search of his lantern. 

Creak — creak! and then the touch 
of a gentle hand and a voice made 
sweet from singing many hymns : 

"Make your pictures, my boy, for 
they will come true. Make them, 
hold them, and most of all believe in 
them. Good night." 

Silence! 

Creak — creak!! 



tS^t Sijree W^ 



tll^t tR^vtt Wi 



FOREWORD 



Without Health, Life seems Hell. 
With Harmony it becomes Heaven. 
And when combined, Happiness, 
here, is the result. 



141 




Ctie Cliree W^ 

PART I. 

N a tavern, which was on 
the waterfront and visited 
mostly by sailors on shore 
leave, lay a semblance of 
a man. He was tattered and in rags. 
Crouching at his feet was a dog as 
forlorn as he was and in a starved 
condition. 

Standing around the pair was a 
circle of men — the regular habitues 
of the place. 

"WhereM you find him, Pete?" in- 
quired a sour-visaged standee. 

"On the wharf. I heard the dog, 
and as my boy wants a cur, I fol- 
lowed the sound. But love ye! I 
couldn't touch the dog, for he was 
that crazy at seeing me. Seemed like 
he would never stop running around 

143 



144 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

me — but always out of reach — first 
to me and then to the bundle. 

Finally I got Steve there, and to- 
gether we set to work to pick him 
up, and do you know, that cur jest 
settled down as quiet and followed 
at our heels. Seemed as if that was 
what he wanted." 

Here the men looked sheepishly at 
each other, as if each was ashamed 
at the emotion which stirred witiiin 
him and was afraid lest it be ob- 
served. 

Finally the first speaker took cour- 
age and said: 

"Well, come on, let's see whaf s 
wrong. Get some brandy — and, oh! 
hell ! give the dog something to drink 
and eat, too.'' 

In a moment there was action, 
where before there was inertia. One 
bringing a basin of warm water and 
a towel, another brandy, while the rest 
undertook to look after the dog, who 



THE THREE H'S 145 

refused to move away from the man's 
side, however, and refused even the 
food and drink offered until he saw 
that aid was being given to his com- 
panion. Then, with a growl of satis- 
faction, which contained as well a de- 
spairing pioan — as if the relief of 
nourishment was almost too great to 
bear — he commenced to devour ra- 
venously what was placed before him, 
and gave thanks, in all directions, 
with a waving and vigorous tail mes- 
sage. 

Just as he made his final thump of 
gratitude, the figure of his companion 
stirred and moaned, and instantly the 
dog was over the heads of the men, 
bending over his master and wildly 
lapping his face and hands, from 
which the dirt and blood had been 
removed. 

It was a face of refinement, deli- 
cate in its outline, and with an ex- 
pression which held the crowd silent. 



146 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

Whether the brandy, which had 
been forced down his throat, or the 
caressing of the dog aroused him, it 
is difficult to say — for it was to the 
dog he turned his eyes, not to the 
men standing about him, and as his 
hand touched the animal it gave a 
wild yelp of gladness. 

At this, a glimmer of a smile passed 
over the face — a smile tender as a 
mother^s and filled with the love and 
adoration of a child. 

"Dakta, dear old Dakta,'' he mur- 
mured feebly. 

At the sound of his voice the dog 
laid down and moaned from very joy. 

The man caressed the animal with 
the gentleness of a woman until it 
subsided and rested in peace against 
his body. 

Then his eyes wandered over the 
group, which had stood silent and 
awe-struck at the emotion of the dog. 
With a smile which radiated over 
them all, he said: 



THE THREE H'S 147 

"So you are Dakta's good friends. 
I welcome you, comrades/' 

A shuffling of feet answered him, 
and glances shot from right to left, 
but before any one had summoned 
the courage to reply, he continued: 

*'It seems strange to you, I per- 
ceive, for me to welcome you as 
Dakta's friends. Men live all their 
lives with the most precious of jewels 
at their door and are unaware of it. 
Often it is wrapped in poor cover- 
ing and often, too, in gorgeous rai- 
ment. I was one of those men.'' 

Here he stopped and stroked the 
dog, who now lay quiet and content, 
glancing up, now and then, into his 
friend's face. 

After a moment of silence, the 
man raised himself and looked in- 
tently into each face. 

A furtive smile answered his query, 
on some faces, while others looked 
away, and yet, without their volition, 



148 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

their eyes came back and rested on 
his face. 

**Come nearer, comrades. Sit at 
ease while I tell you of this jewel, 
which you all have within your reach 
and which Dakta, too, possesses." 

The men seated themselves quietly 
— one might almost say, reverently — 
so different was their attitude from 
their usual manner. 

When the men were settled, his 
glance traveled over them all. 

^'Do you know that you have here 
untold riches?" 

"To hell, we have!" ejaculated 
Steve. 

"Exactly," responded the stranger. 
"That is just it — Hell! — and that is 
paved with untold wealth — good in- 
tentions." 

"Huh!" snorted one of the lis- 
teners, "much good that wealth does 
a feller; you can't buy a drink with 
that." 



THE THREE H'S 149 

"You are mistaken, my friend. It 
does you the greatest good in the 
world, and I will prove it to you; and, 
furthermore, it will purchase for you 
all the drinks you desire. Will you 
hear?" 

''Fire away/' 

IL 



ii\ 



'When I was a lad, I was puny, 
sickly, and in consequence was barred 
from the joy of companions and play. 

My parents were too occupied 
with their great responsibilities — my 
father amassing wealth and my 
mother keeping her place as the leader 
of society — to give any special atten- 
tion to the offspring who only upset 
the routine of the household by ill- 
ness at inopportune times, and so the 
care was relegated to hirelings— who 
were paid for their time and gave 
accordingly only the efforts of their 
hands, with no thought that they pos- 
sessed a heart. 



150 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

I was kept out of doors constantly, 
and my only companion was the 
mother of Dakta. We grew up to- 
gether, and it was the exercise given 
me from very joy and ecstacy — to- 
gether with the love and devotion, 
which I felt for the first time, and 
realized did exist — ^which restored me 
gradually to health. 

Next I became acquainted with 
selfishness and cruelty, for my play- 
mate — having added to the joy of the 
world, five beautiful downy bits of 
life — was taken away from me, for 
she brought a good price with four 
of her children. Money was of more 
importance than love. Dakta, here, 
was left behind, however, for the 
stableman, for he had looked after 
her mother. 

It was from the stableman that I 
received my first lesson as to the 
wealth which was to be obtained. 

He was an ugly, brutal looking 



THE THREE H'S 151 

man, dirty and unkempt most of the 
time, but to me he was a very god, 
for each day he came to the wicket of 
the fence, with Dakta in his arms, 
and with a smile which was Hke a 
beam of sunshine, he would say, 
"Hey ! little master, here she is," and 
with that he would put Dakta through 
the wicket. 

Each day ever since she has been 
with me, sharing joy and sorrow 
and teaching me with infinite patience 
and love the great lessons of life — 
Faithfulness, Gratitude, Qeanliness, 
Godliness and Work. 

For ten years she has been stead- 
fast and her love unchanged, al- 
though I have led her through the 
mire many times, and himger and 
cold have been her portions." 

Here he put his hand upon the dog 
and turned its face upward, and, 
looking into its eyes, said: 

"But never lack of love, old girl! 
Never that!" 



152 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

The dog kept its eyes upon him as 
he spoke, and the men were silent 
as it gave a Httle whimpering answer 
and licked the man's hand. 

Turning once more to his circle of 
listeners, the man continued his 
story : 

"I have called you Dakta's com- 
rades for she selected you, and her 
judgment is imerring in regard to 
those who have wealth." 

Here he smiled, and in a whimsical 
tone said: 

"She is an aristocrat, and traces 
her family many generations, and 
therefore shuns those who do not be- 
long to her class. For we have min- 
gled with each and every- class — hav- 
ing been the invited guests of multi- 
millionaires, pampered social leaders, 
and sat at the table of all of the rulers 
of the world. We have dwelt in 
hovels, slept in the desert, and wan- 
dered forsaken and alone along the 
highways. 



THE THREE H'S 153 

Tonight our pilgrimage ends, for 
we have won the fight and I am once 
more in possession of my soul." 

The music of his voice had stilled 
all the warring elements within each 
man, and they scarcely breathed for 
fear of losing that which they felt 
had entered and warmed them. There 
was no need for the gin and whisky, 
which had kept the blood heated, for 
there was a glow from the eyes of 
both man and dog which made them 
warmer than they had ever been. 

Putting his hand on the dog^s head, 
he said: 

^'Attention. Dakta! It is time to 
choose." 

Immediately the dog was on its 
haunches, ears erect, nose quivering 
and eyes going from man to man. 

"I have called you Dakta's com- 
rades, but you are mine as well — for 
'Lo! the stranger was at your gates 
and you took him in and bathed and 
fed him.' 



154 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

We need helpers, and Dakta shall 
choose. After she has selected each 
one for his particular office, we will 
discuss the work to be done. I will 
tell you in advance, however, that you 
will receive greater payment for your 
services than you have ever had be- 
fore." 

The men were as graven images. 

Then came the command: 

"Leader! Dakta !'^ 

With a dignity which was inspir- 
ing, Dakta walked around each man, 
looking, first, intently into each face 
and then sniffing. Having made the 
rounds, she walked to the most be- 
sotted looking, and putting her paws 
on his knee, looked up into his face 
and whined, meanwhile waving in 
triumph the flag of her tail. 

The man at whose knee she stood 
put out a trembling and hesitating 
hand, whereupon Dakta gave a little 
yelp of pleasure, and kissed it. 



THE THREE H'S 155 

At this the entire attitude of the 
man changed, and he sat erect, where 
before his body had slouched, and his 
head went up until the carriage of 
the body was that of a ruler, and he 
arose from his chair and, with eyes 
alight, followed Dakta to the right 
hand of the man and seated himself 
on the floor beside him. 

Again came the command: 

"Treasurer! Dakta!" 

Once more the dog made its 
rounds, stopping finally in front of a 
man who had kept his eyes upon the 
ground. He stirred uneasily at the 
touch of Dakta's paws upon his knee, 
and made a movement as if he would 
push her away. At that she gave a 
little cry and jumped into the lap of 
the man and commenced to lick his 
face. 

The man made no move for a mo- 
ment, and then suddenly clasped her 
in both arms and hid his face in her 
neck. 



156 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

'^Well chosen, Dakta!'^ said her 
master. 

''Come, comrade, and sit at my 
left." 

The man rose, still holding Dakta 
close to his heart, but his head raised 
high and his eyes straight ahead — 
and took his place at the left, upon 
the floor. 

Again came the command: 

"The Mender! Dakta!" 

Wriggling out of the arms of the 
man who held her, she once more 
made her rounds, this time stopping 
before Steve, and whining as if in 
recognition. 

Steve looked down into the ani- 
mal's face and said: 

"Hell! What ar^ you?" 

At this Dakta leaped about him in 
ecstacy and tugged at his coat, until 
Steve put out his brawny hand and 
caressed her head. 

Once again came the voice of her 
master : 



THE THREE H'S 157 

''Well selected. Let him sit in 
front of me, Dakta/' 

And dragging Steve by the coat, 
she brought him in front of her mas- 
ter, who put out his hand and said : 

"Welcome, Brother." 

As the man's hand touched his, a 
smile went over the face of Steve and 
glorified it, and he silently took his 
place as indicated. 

Once more rang out a command : 

''The Light Bearer! Bring the 
Light Bearer, Dakta." 

This time Dakta made a flying 
leap into the lap of Pete, and dog and 
man gazed into each other's eyes. 
Then, as Dakta sprang to the floor, 
Pete followed her where she led him, 
to her master, who held out both 
hands and said: 

"My Brother!'' And Pete passed 
around and placed his back next to 
that of the man. 

A final command rang out: 



158 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

"Select the brothers of each !" And 
Dakta made her rounds, bringing two 
to sit next to the Treasurer, two next 
to the Leader, two next to the 
Mender, and two next to the Light 
Bearer, coming herself to curl up at 
her master^s feet. 

His eyes traveled over the men 
seated about him, now all with their 
heads erect and smiles upon their 
faces, and jov radiating from them 
all 

In a voice sweeter than any music, 
he said: 

"Hell becomes Heaven when there 
is Harmony! 

Is it not so, Brothers ?" 



E|)e ^ensiejs 




EEING:— 

From my nest on shore 
I gaze across the sea to a 
tiny speck of white which 
appears on the horizon — a fluttering 
sail. 

Suddenly, a swiftly darting thing 
of gray — a puff of smoke — 

I strain my eyes in vain, but no- 
where can be seen a fluttering sail of 
white or the darting thing of gray. 

Only the ever-moving sea, gleam- 
ing with light! 



FEELING:— 

What tragedy has been enacted? 

How many souls have silently bid 
adieu to the sunshine and the sea? 

To what home is the news carried? 

How many hearts are made to suf- 
fer? 

How many homes bereft? 

161 



162 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

TASTING:— 

I sit and gaze from my nest on 
land, but only a wall of gray can I 
distinguish. 

Suddenly upon my lips a taste of 
salt! 

Can it be that I, too, have been sub- 
merged and the waters of the sea 
caress my lips? 

Alas! no! for the gray wall fades 
away and before my eyes is a sunlit 
sea with nothing in sight and upon 
my lips only my tears. 



HEARING:— 

From out my nest I gaze upon the 
sea. Gray it is, from leaden sky. 

A deadly silence — then the tramp 
of myriad feet. 

Suddenly the stillness is shattered 
by a volley and the last honors of the 
land are given to my all ! ! 



THE SENSES 163 

TOUCHING:— 

From outside my nest I gaze upon 
the sea. 

My hands clasp only the leaves of 
many flowers and dampened earth, 
when leaden sky is reft and the tears 
of the angels of heaven fall upon my 
head in understanding, — and are ad- 
ded to the sea! 

From out my nest I gaze across 
the sea. 

A sunlit, sparkling sea 
A gleaming dancing sea — 
"All joy ! all hope ! be thine," 
It seems to say, 
"For life has just begun." 



Jfancicji 



Jfantiei 

Birds go seeking 
Mates, 

All on a day made gay, 
"Trees are blooming, 
Branches waiting,— 
Will you come?" 
Shy the answer — 
Swift surrender — 
Roundelays are heard. 

Time is flying, 
Summer coming. 
When the families 
Say farewell. 



167 



168 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 



In a pasture green 
Fair flowers bloom ; 
Gay their faces — 
Bright their dresses. 



^t5^ 



Swiftly seeking, 
Whirling, wheeling, 
Comes a flock 
At noon. 

^'Here are daisies. 

Sweetest grasses. 

Buttercups and clover, 

Let us linger, sip and treasure." 

Summer passes. 

Grasses perish. 

But in sweetness 

Is Springtime cherished. 



FANCIES 169 



Daylight passes, 
Night approaches, 
Lights begin to gleam. 
In the houses 
One can fancy 
Nestlings tucked to rest. 



Good night, sea, 
Good night world, 
All my soul goes out 
To thee. 
Happy meeting, 
Friendly greeting 
Upon the milky way, 



170 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 



TRUSTING 

Upon the ocean wide 
Two little ships set sail. 

Over an ocean blue 

Two little birds sailed true. 

Kneeling upon a nursery floor 
Two little children fair. 

Under a star-lit sky 

A youth and a maiden, shy. 

With sightless eyes and folded hands, 
Old age murmurs, "God knows best." 

Faith — trust — love — courage ! 
That is all — God does the rest. 



FANCIES 171 



THOUGHTS 

Thinking, thinking, thinking, 
As the needle travels to and fro 
Through sheerest linen — finest lace — 
Weaving patterns — all unseen, 
Upon its face. 

Pictures vivid, pictures dim, 
Pictures gay and with sadness grim, 
Tiny feet — clinging hands — 
All are in the fabric's sheen. 

Unseen tracery takes its place, 
To weave again its mystic theme. 



172 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

THINKING 

The only value of thinking 

Is thinking of things worth while, 

Of thinking of what you want to be, 

And thinking of things to do 

For the folks — who know not the 

value 
Of thinking of things worth while. 
All that you are, or will be, 
Is vested in thinking. 
And it's the thoughts worth while, 
And the deeds well planned. 
Which build your mansion here — and 

there, 
So what are you thinking now — 

there? 



FANCIES 173 



Oh ! the hours we spend, 

And the days we spend, 

In thinking no thoughts at all — 

For the only thoughts — which really 

count — 
Are the thoughts of love sent out to 

all, 
For they are the thoughts worth 

while. 



gessterbap— ®o«tiap 




A Fantasy in Three Parts 

PART L— YESTERDAY 

ITTLE wisps of clouds I 
meet as I wander by the 
sea, — fragile as lacy petti- 
coats that imprison the 
form. Useless they seem to be, but 
as I watch I think I see a form. Mul- 
tiplying, I mistake seeming for fact, 
and revel in the vision they recall. 

Cloudless skies— dazzling sunshine 
— ^heavy scent of flowers, and floating 
upon the breast of the jeweled sea, a 
barge — gay with silken draperies, 
flowers and the music of many blades 
cleaving the waves. 

Upon a golden couch lies a softly 
clad nymph. Sapphire are her eyes, 
alabaster her arms, coral tinges her 
mouth and pearls gleam, as the sun 
warms and bathes her in its rays. 

177 



178 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

So motionless she lies that one 
might think it a magical statue carven 
by a master hand — only, in the eyes 
gleams a force which keeps at regu- 
lar beats the play of the blades and 
sends the craft to the port desired. 

Supporting herself on one arm, she 
raises high the other and points to a 
gleaming palace by the water's edge, 
and with a quicker rhythm the barge 
sweeps over the water and reaches 
the landing. 

It is a palace of dreams which ap- 
pears to be holding within its walls 
the design of Aspiration. 

Alighting from the barge, the 
nymph seems to float through the air, 
so lightly does she glide over the 
earth, and enters the palace. 

In the entrance hall she hesitates 

and looks — from the left, where Music 

beckons, to the right, where Art 

smiles, and then stands and gazes at 

a closed door. It is simple in design 



YESTERDA Y-^TODA Y 179 

and quite plain and ordinary com- 
pared to the rest of the palace, but 
unlike all the other doors, which stand 
open, this is tightly closed. On look- 
ing closer, over the portal can be seen 
in infinitesimal letters, the words 
Knowledge, Wisdom, Power. 

In front of this door sits a figure 
wrapped in flowing garments. Hesi- 
tatingly, the nymph approaches, and 
addresses the figure in accents which 
are full of sweetness and yet are 
throbbing with will and determina- 
tion. 

"I would enter. Open the door for 
me. 

"By what right do you issue that 
command?" asks the custodian. 

*The right of Desire. Is that not 
sufficient?" 

"Nay! not here. The other rooms 
may be entered and dwelt in by that 
alone, but this opens its doors only to 
aspiration for Qualities, for it is that 



180 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

knowledge only which can be gained 
within." 

^'Qualities ! What are they ? I tell 
you I will enter! You may sit there 
forever, if you will, but I shall pass 
you." 

"Gladly will I stand aside for you 
when you are able to give me the 
pass-word which unlocks the door," 
replied its keeper. 

"And where shall I purchase that 
word? No price is beyond me." 

"There is no price. It is just a 
little word. Seek it diligently and you 
will find." 

With a gesture of disdain the 
nymph swept past and entered the 
rooms, first to the left and then to 
the right, and then coming again to 
the closed door, seated herself and 
said: 

"I WILL enter! No matter how 
long I must remain. What is the 
use of this palace to me, if that room 



YESTERDA Y-^TODA Y 181 

is closed? I will have none of it! I 
command you to open the door/' 

But the figure remained motion- 
less, and finally, wearying of the si- 
lence , the nymph approached and 
touched the sleeve of the garment — 
but, alas! it gave no response, for it 
was stone. 

II. 
TODAY 

Lying within the embrace of many 
pillows was a woman, her eyes fixed 
upon the sea, which rolled and tum- 
bled below her making a very sym- 
phony of sound. 

Her eyes travelled slowly to the 
horizon, then back to the book which 
lay upon her lap. Picking it up she 
commenced to read : 

"Lying within each and every soul 
is the seed which contains the mem- 
ory of all past achievements, all past 



182 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

desires, like a pure crystal which re- 
flects all within its surface. Just as 
the crystal will reflect blurred pict- 
ures when it is marred by ill usage, 
so this seed fails to give the perfect 
flower of knowledge when it has met 
with neglect To give it warmth will 
bring to view all its possibilities, all 
its loveliness. 

"Make a search for that seed with- 
in you which contains all memories. 
Review each and every event by 
pouring upon it the sunshine of under- 
standing and searching. Look with- 
in and "Know Thyself.'* 

At this the woman put down her 
book and once again her gaze wan- 
dered to the horizon and within her 
eyes came a gleam — gazing intently 
— without movement. 

One watching her would have said 
she saw something upon that sea, 
which stretched before her. 

With a swift movement she slips 



YESTERDA Y^-^TODA Y 183 

from her pillows, and with wide open 
eyes, exclaims: 

"The door — the same one of my 
dreams/' 

Entranced, she remains motionless 
until a sudden gust of wind picks up 
her book and flings it at her feet. 

Stooping, she picks it up, and then, 
as her eyes scan the page, there is a 
sudden tenseness of the body, as she 
reads : — 

"The key to the 'Temple of Knowl- 
edge' lies within each soul and he 
who seeks, from the heart, shall find. 
To knock imperiously will summon 
the guardians, but to reach the inner 
chamber it is necessary to enter first 
into the closet of your own soul. 

There, in a neglected corner, will 
be the golden key. It will be in need 
of burnishing, perhaps — ^hidden as it 
has been all these years, but just a 
little eflfort will bring out its brilli- 
ancy. Take it in your hands, rever- 



184 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

ently, for it is fragile, as well as pure, 
and place it next to your heart. Keep 
it there until you can feel the warmth 
radiating from it, through your en- 
tire being. Then, and then only, is 
it ready for use, for it is then a Mas- 
ter Key and can unlock any door." 

With a sudden exclamation, the 
book is clasped more closely, and a 
light of understanding breaks over 
her face. 

"So simple! And I have searched 
so long! — Just love!" 

III. 
THE REAPING 

In the streets flags are waving 
and banners unfurled to the breeze, 
while along the edges are eager, 
strained faces, watching. 

With a shout, the cry rings out, 
'They are coming!" and then in the 



YESTERDA Y--TODA Y 185 

distance is heard the sound of music 
and the tramping of many feet, all in 
unison. 

Gradually the marchers make their 
way past the waiting throngs, and 
as they pass, each head is raised in 
wonderment, and then reverently 
bowed, for, arm in arm march the 
Nations of the World, — all united in 
a common bond and no longer ene- 
mies, for at their head moves a tiny 
child, carrying in its hands a wee ban- 
ner, but of mighty import, — for on 
it in letters of gold is 

"The Ruler of all the World" 
"LOVE" 



lection— i&eactton 




Action— l^eaction 

ACTION 

VILLAGE nestling among 
the pines. Only the buzz 
of insects and hum of bees, 
together with the ac- 
companiment of rustling branches, 
breaks the silence. 

All is peace and harmony. 
Hark! 

From afar sounds a discordant 
blatant note. Nearer it comes, ever 
growing harsher, until at last, at the 
end of the street is seen a mounted 
horseman, with a bugle at his lips. 
With one final blast he summons all 
the peaceful souls, who crowd about 
him. He watches them, as they 
gather, with an appraising eye, and 
then with uplifted hand commands 

silence. 

189 



190 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

"All men and boys past the age of 
twelve follow me. 

"In the name of the Law you must 
obey! Come!*' 

Raising his bugle, once more he 
shatters the peace of that little ham- 
let and moves on, followed in silence 
by all the men and boys over twelve. 

No sound but that of moving feet 
can be heard. No tears, no lamenta- 
tions from the stricken statues left 
behind. 

The hush of even-tide — 
The drone of insects — 
The hum of bees— 
The swaying of branches, 
Thrilled by the breeze — 

and silence once more descends upon 
the street 



ACTION— REACTION 191 

Furroughed ground — 
Booming guns — 
^ Shrieking shells — 

Smoke-laden air — 

Young, old-men boys, automatons of 
men, ply their trade at the command 
"By order of the Law! Obey!'' 

Daylight passes — 

The hues of even-tide caress, 

And ^peak of rest, 

but the command rings out: 
^Torward! Attack!'' 

Night comes forth 

With gleaming mantle, 

xVnd lays it over all that remains — 

Furroughed ground! 



192 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

REACTION 

A bugle sounds in a hamlet town, 
and streaming forth come stricken 
souls, who with outstretched arms go 
forth to meet that straggling band 
which passes through the street — but 
they pay no heed. 

Luminous are their faces, radiant 
their robes, as they gaze straight 
ahead, with never a look to the right 
or the left. 

Morning breezes — 
Buzz of insects 
Hum of bees — 
Branches bending 
To the breeze. 



^ Visum 







H Virion 

N the far distant East 

gleams a light — faint but 

effulgent, and as I watch 

it moves slowly, majes- 

tically, westward. 

Still I gaze, and watch it ever going 
higher, moving more swiftly, and 
growing ever brighter and larger. 

Still I gaze : 

Swifter becomes its movement, 
more dazzling its light, and lo! from 
what seemed a speck when I first 
gazed upon that light, has grown a 
golden bird with outstretched wings 
gleaming and sending showers of 
golden radiance with each movement. 

Westward it moves, ever expand- 
ing, ever more dazzling, until at last 
all the face of the world has been 
showered with the glimmering gold 
from its wings. 

195 



196 MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL 

Still I gaze : 

High in the heavens is motionless 
this wonderful golden bird — then, 
slowly, with scarcely moving pinions 
it descends, and with a final quiver 
takes under the shelter of its mighty 
wings a world of sorrow. 

Still I gaze : 

No movement, but ever the light 
increasing and dazzling in brilliancy 
and beauty. 

Still I gaze : 

A flutter — ^an unfolding of the 
mighty pinions and then a swift flight 
upwards — ever swifter — ever higher, 
until at last all sight of its wonder is 
lost. 

Then I gaze where it rested, and 
behold! a new earth of dazzling gold 
and everywhere gleaming lights of 
rainbow tints 

Then I muse : 

And from out of the silence comes 
a voice: 



A VISION 197 

"Thus will the world appear when 
Peace has folded it within its wings, 
and Love shines out from each and 
every window." 




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